A pain in the brain : the psychological effect of football injuries : a qualitative study

Abstract

In 1993, Heil reported that approximately seventeen million American athletes sustained an injury each year. The aim of this qualitative study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of football players who have suffered football injuries. Six male athletes, aged between twenty and twenty-four, who had suffered a major injury participated in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six super-ordinate themes emerged: (a) technology, (b) stress, (c) semi-professional (d) social support, (e) mental preparation, (f) identity and emotions. Participants’ stories largely showed that since Maltese athletes are semi-professional, stress would be higher due to work and training demands, as it becomes more difficult to continue playing with years. Furthermore, lack of mental preparation both for the athletes and coaches is leaving a negative impact on performance and rehabilitative process, thereby increasing the risk of an injury. An important factor was the lack of readiness to go back on the pitch after recovery from an injury. In spite of the support offered by the family and friends athletes rarely found any help from the club personnel, thus increasing their level of stress. Lastly, athlete identity was affected and negative emotions were experienced throughout the injury phase. This study can help to inform coaches and athletes, as well as the Malta Football Association, to re-evaluate existing support structures with the aim of providing better mental help during the athletic career and the recovery process when the athlete sustains an injury.